Getting to know your topic
Background research is how you learn about your general topic. Below are some resources and strategies for you. Background research tells you:
- what is generally known about a topic, or
- what is generally known about individual parts of your topic, or
- what is generally known about the current conversation about your topic*.
*This is not the deep dive into very specific journal articles. This is much broader, and tells you more about your general topic - that way you know how to narrow down your research question to something that's a college-level research topic.
Topic Info: Library Resources
- Gale in Context: Opposing Viewpoints This link opens in a new windowCurrent social issues presented in topic pages with a variety of data on differing points of view.
- Credo Reference This link opens in a new windowOver 600 reference books, including encyclopedias, dictionaries, thesauri, books of quotations, as well as a range of subject-specific reference books.
- CQ Researcher This link opens in a new windowIn-depth, unbiased coverage of health, social trends, criminal justice, international affairs, education, the environment, technology, economy, and global affairs.
And here are some good topical encyclopedias and handbooks (they're ebooks!) that are not in Credo Reference:
Strategy: Focus Points
As you do your background reading make a checklist of things you need to focus on, things you need to look up, because you don't know much about them, and also key words to add to your strategy.
When everything has been checked off, you're probably ready to start putting ideas together into words.
Topic Info: Outside Resources
Finding the right topic for your research paper can be tough! But don't be afraid to look outside the box for interesting topics...and if you have a question about a website, ask me. I'm happy to help.
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IEEE Citations Formatting
- IEEE Citation Guidelines
IEEE's publication on citation standards covers books, conference technical articles, online sources, periodicals, theses, and more.
- IEEE Editorial Style Manual
This style manual provides editorial guidance for IEEE Transactions, Journals, and Letters. It outlines how to divide the parts of a paper, cite figures and tables, and it gives guidelines for specific grammar rules.
- IEEE Article Templates
This site gives the nitty-gritty details on how to edit, format, and submit a paper for IEEE review and publication.
- Murdoch University
This is an excellent guide that covers all aspects of citing in IEEE style. Check out the Reference List Entries page for details about citing a variety of material types.
Tricia Boucher
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